Do Ford diesels have wet belts?
Does the 2022 Ford Puma Titanium Ecoblue diesel 1.5have a wet belt? I've heard Ford had a problem with these before. Also, can you tell me if wet belts were used in the 2015 Ford Fiesta TDCi Titanium diesel?
Marie Cahill (ENNISCORTHY)Feb 2025 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Marie,
I can confirm that those cars' engines do not have wet timing belts - they are traditional 'dry' belts instead. I believe the issues you mentioned relate to Ford's EcoBoost petrol engines only.
I have €4,000 to buy my first car...
Hi,
I'm a student from Dublin looking to buy my first car. Budget is small, around €4,000. Obviously a small engine will be cheaper insurance-wise and grand for driving in Dublin, but I would be driving to Ennis and back once or twice a month (500km ish). Is a 1.0-litre too small,? Should iIlook for something bigger?
Mark Boyle (ENNISCORTHY)Dec 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
OK, we’ve found a few cars that meet both your budget and your small engine requirement, and can pretty easily handle the hack to Ennis and back.
All small car searches should start with a Fiat 500 — looks cool, is fun to drive, costs buttons to run and no they’re not unreliable.
Want something a bit more conventional? You should be able to track down a 2009-ish Ford Fiesta with the 1.25 engine. Terrific all-rounder.
If you want something cheaper to run, there’s the Kia Picanto (circa 2010), which has a peppy enough 1.0 to be able to cope with the Ennis run.
Or finally a Toyota Yaris, with that brilliant 1.0 VVTi engine, would make a hugely sensible choice, but you’ll have to go for an older one to stay on budget — 2008 or thereabouts.
How much to tax my Fiesta in January?
How much tax will I have to pay on my new Ford Fiesta in January?
Kathleen Flanagan (Co, Offaly )Oct 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Kathleen,
You've not told us which engine the car has or whether the car is already registered or not. We'd need to know more to work out its CO2 rating. You should be able to work it out using our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature.
My Fiesta's stop-start won't work...
Hiya,
I own a Mark 7 Fiesta that comes with the stop-start button. As I was driving, the light came up saying that the stop-start has been turned off, and I am unable to put it back on again. The light is on and will not turn off. I have read up on possible fixes and attempted most but nothing has helped. I did not have heating or AC running, or lights on. Neither was I doing anything out of the normal. Do you know anything else that may cause this?
Ricky-Lee Morgan (Gloucestershire )Oct 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Ricky-Lee Morgan,
In the vast majority of cases this is down to either a battery that is not in perfect health or a dodgy sensor. See our feature Why won't my car's stop-start system work? and if that doesn't help then you will need to get the car plugged into a diagnostic computer by a mechanic.
When to replace a 2011 Fiesta's belt?
When do I need to replace the timing belt on a 2011 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Trend powershift?
William Smith (Rustenburg)Aug 2020 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi William,
The 1.6-litre petrol engine's belt of that era requires a change every 160,000km or eight years, whichever comes first.
For the 1.6-litre diesel, it depends on when the engine was manufactured. Pre July 2011, it's 140,000km and ten years, and after that it's 180,000km or ten years.
Ford Fiesta Active or new Puma?
I am looking at getting a new car, something easy to get into. I have aFord Fiesta automatic (disabled driver) so was looking at an Active model or saving up a bit and going for the Puma (which I like the look of). Both will have to be automatic. Am looking at Fords first before I look at options.
Emmet K (Westmeath)Mar 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Emmet,
To be honest, the difference in height between the Fiesta and the Fiesta Active is pretty minimal and so it’s probably not worth the trade-up. The Puma, though, is a different story entirely. Again, in terms of height, the difference isn’t huge, but the Puma’s interior and boot are much larger than that of the Fiesta, and added to which it’s even more entertaining to drive. In fact, it’s one of our favourite cars of the year thus far, so we’d say go for it. Well worth also considering the likes of the new Renault Captur, the Peugeot 2008 and the Skoda Kamiq too.
I have a fault in my 181 Ford Fiesta.
I bought a 181 Ford Fiesta 1.5 diesel and to date I have had to call the AA out three times for engine faults. Also the engine warning light comes on every few weeks, but the last time the AA came out, I was told to ignore it as they could find nothing wrong. Ford Ireland is saying they are covered because I have the free AA cover, but I have lost three days work waiting for a replacement car etc. Do you know if there have been other reports of faults in the Fiesta?
Brian Scott (Navan)Dec 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
To be honest, no — we haven’t heard of any major problems with the current-shape Fiesta, but perhaps the problem lies in the diesel engine and how it’s being used? If you’re only covering a relatively low mileage, you could be getting a clogged up exhaust particulate filter, which is a common issue with diesels that get driven for short hops, or stuck in traffic a lot. Beyond that, if the car has caused you to stop three times in succession, to the point of having to call out roadside assistance, then clearly there is an issue and, if it’s not the particulate filter problem, then it could be something more serious. As a 181, you’re still well within warranty, so I would demand of your Ford dealer that they do something, as there must be a problem somewhere.
What are the new BMW 330e seats like?
Hi there.
I'm interested in the new BMW 330e plug-in hybrid. I test drove the older version and found the sports seats very cramped (as I'm a big lad!). Have you any info on the G20 sports seats? Have they been improved/made bigger?
Austin Molloy (Dublin)Aug 2019 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Austin,
So far, we’ve only test-driven the BMW 330e in one specification — M Sport, which does include sports seats. Now, I’m a fairly chunky guy myself (38-inch waist, bigger tummy, 44-inch chest) and I didn’t notice the seats being especially tight. For reference, I find the bucket seats in the Ford Fiesta ST WAY too tight across the back and thighs. You could always get one that’s not M Sport — Sport spec on the 3 Series is a good half-way house between the basic SE versions and the M Sport models, and comes with seats that are not too heavily bolstered.
How often to change my 2012 Fiesta's belt?
How often should I change the timing belt on my 2012 Ford Fiesta?
Betty Bernard (Charlottetown )Jul 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Betty,
It depends on the engine:
1.25/1.4/1.6-litre petrol: every 160,000km/8 years
1.4/1.6-litre diesel:
- to July 2011: 140,000km/10 years
- after that: 180,000km/10 years
Polo or SEAT for a little more power?
Trading in a 2007 Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec, which was around 70hp. New Polo default seems to be 1.0-litre 65hp, actually lower power than 12-year-old Fiesta? Maybe default SEAT ibiza SE is better with its 1.0 MPI EVO 80hp engine. Load of one adult and two children, Offaly/Kildare roads and M4 travel twice a week to Liffey Valley usage.
Thanks
John
John Quinn (Offaly)May 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
A very good point — basic VW Polos have always been rather underpowered and the fact is that, for the same price as a basic Polo 65hp, you can have a basic SEAT Ibiza with the more powerful engine. Or for the same price as the 80hp Polo in basic Trendline form, you could have an Ibiza with the same engine but in higher SE trim. We’d say definitely go for the SEAT in this instance, as you’ll get better spec, or better performance (especially for that M4 run), or both.